Moving into a care home is not the easiest decision to make, not for you or your family and friends. Most of the time, it never even feels like the right time to move or the right choice. It can be stressful and emotional. However, if you are considering a care home, it most likely means you need more care and attention than you can get at home and will benefit from the personalised care and support provided at residential care homes like Midlands Care.

How to Prepare for a Care Home

Being prepared is key. It makes things easier for everyone when it is time to move and ensures you choose the best environment for yourself, for when you are away from your family and friends. Here are some tips to prepare;

Consider Why You Need to Move into A Care Home

Before you make any decisions, it is important to know exactly why you are moving into a care home. This will guide you in making the best choice for your needs. People move into our  when they require significant assistance, and this could be for different reasons, including;

Old age – When we get older, we start experiencing physical decline, such as mobility issues, which leads to needing more attention and support. Some people develop health issues that require complex medical needs, while others move because of isolation, where family members may not be able to provide support around the clock.

Chronic Health Conditions – Some people move to care homes because of health issues or sickness that makes it hard for them to live independently and difficult to manage at home. This may need 24-hour monitoring, specialised treatments, and help with basic daily needs like bathing, eating, and moving around.

Cognitive issues – People with cognitive issues such as dementia may not be able to manage their daily needs on their own and may need assistance even with basic things such as personal hygiene, dressing, managing medication, supervision for safety, and more.

Choose the Right Care Home

Secondly, you want to choose a care home like Midlands Care, where you will be respected, taken care of, and above all, be a part of a loving community. Don’t move in a rush if there is no need to hurry. Depending on why you want to move, take your time to do your research.

Start by looking for care homes around you. If you don’t want to move to a different town or city, check reviews from current and former residents as well as what their families are saying about the services offered. Visit a couple of them to have a peek at what to expect.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a care home;

Location – Choose a location that you are familiar with, that is easy for your family and friends to access, that is close to local amenities, and where you feel safe and comfortable.

Amosphere – Check if the buildings are well maintained, if there are gardens or courtyards, the views, hygiene, comfortability in the rooms, and more. The care home should really feel like home.

Staff – These are the people who will be taking care of you. Choose a care home with trusted staff who are welcoming, interested in getting to know their residents in depth, compassionate, empathetic, well-trained, and professional.

Accessibility features – The accessibility features you will require depend on your needs. For example, you may require the home to have wheelchair-friendly layouts if you use a wheelchair, handrails throughout the facility for safety, wide doorways, well-lit areas, and more.

Who to Inform When Moving into a Care Home

Family and Friends

These are, of course, the first people to know when and what care home you are moving to. Even if you probably won’t be seeing each other as often, it is still important to keep the relations with your people strong and healthy. They can offer emotional, mental, and physical support whenever you need it throughout this journey.

Your GP

Your GP (general practitioner) need to know where to send your medical information and prescription, coordinate with the care home to ensure you continue to receive the medical care you need, and just access and always communicate with your new caregivers about your specific needs and concerns.

Local Council

Your local council are the one that will assess your needs and may help with the costs for your care. If they do provide funding, they will need to know your new living situation, make sure your needs are met, and send the funds to the care providers. If you have any issues, complaints, or concerns, you can also raise them with your local council.

Relevant Government Departments (Like Pensions or DVLA)

Government departments, like the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), need to update your records to ensure you continue receiving pension payments or benefits without interruption. Similarly, the DVLA should be notified if you still hold a driving licence, even if you won’t be driving anymore. It also ensures that vehicle-related documents are kept up to date.

Banks and Utility Companies

Any banks you use need to know about your change of address to ensure your statements, pension payments, or benefits are sent to the right place. They need to know if moving will affect any of your regular payments to make the necessary adjustments. They can also help set up direct debits for care home fees. Utility companies, such as gas, electricity, water, phone, internet, etc, need to be informed to cancel or transfer services to prevent unnecessary charges or confusion.

Any Other Support or Care Service Providers

If you receive any support, such as home care services, you should let them know so they can stop or transfer your services to your new address accordingly.

Settling into a Carehome

Settling into a care home is a big change, and it is completely normal to feel a mix of emotions. You might feel excited about having more support, but at the same time, you could feel nervous about leaving behind familiar surroundings. Once you move, you will be around new people and new surroundings, have a new room, receive new services, and have new caregivers. All of these might be a lot to take in in the beginning.

You may feel homesick, miss your friends, and even feel lonely despite living with other residents and having 24/7 staff to care for you. Adjusting takes time, and everyone’s experience is different. Some people settle in quickly, while others need more time to feel comfortable in their new home.

Midlands Care provides a community-oriented environment designed to make your transition as smooth as possible. We offer personalised care plans tailored to each resident’s unique needs and preferences, ensuring you feel at home. We encourage social interactions through various activities and events to make you feel a sense of belonging and companionship.

One of the most important things when moving into a care home is to make your new space feel like home. We encourage you to bring personal items such as photos, favourite blankets, or small decorations that can help create a familiar and comforting environment. Having something from your previous home can make a big difference in helping you feel at ease.

It is also helpful to get to know the people around you. This might feel a bit overwhelming at first, especially if you are not used to other people than your family, but it can help you feel more comfortable, sooner.

Our care homes are designed to be social places, so there will be plenty of opportunities to interact, whether it is during meal times, activities, or just casual conversations in common areas. Stay active and get involved in activities such as arts and crafts, music, gardening, and gentle exercise. Even if something does not interest you at first, trying new things can help you stay engaged and make new friends. If you have a hobby that you love, let our staff know. They will help you keep at it or even introduce you to others who share the same interest.